UnsolvedJeffery "Jo Jo" Zolliecoffer

On Friday, September 15, 1989, a child playing by the Cedar River told nearby adults he had found a mannequin or a body in the river. When police were notified at 6:40 PM that day, they discovered the body of Jeffery “Jo Jo” Zolliecoffer about a half-mile north of Waterloo’s business district.

Jo Jo, 23, had been shot three times, including a shotgun blast to the back of the head. His body had been wrapped in a quilted blanket, secured with copper wiring, and looped through two cement blocks. Waterloo police believe it took several days for his body to rise from the river.

Jo Jo’s case went back eight days to when he was last seen late Thursday evening, September 7, at Goodies II, a bar formerly located in the 100 block of Sumner Street. There were conflicting reports of whether Jo Jo left the bar on his own will or was forced out by several men; it was the last known time anyone ever saw Jo Jo alive. He was reported missing on September 9, 1989.

An autopsy performed determined that Jo Jo died of a gunshot wound to the head and his death was ruled as a homicide. Police have followed up on many leads over the years but have not made any arrests.

Some family members believed that the murder was drug related, while other members advised Jo Jo was against anyone who used drugs. To this day, the family hopes a new lead will come in and provide closure after all these years.

Anyone with information about the murder of Jeffery “Jo Jo’ Zolliecoffer is asked to call the Waterloo Police Department at 319.291.4340, ext. 3.